monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa, a tropical mexican fruit that tastes like a cross between a pineapple and a banana. It ripens when the scales start to fall off, like in the picture. A bit high-maintenance, but absolutely worth it!

mini-tiffin

A mini-tiffin plate from the canteen at Ganesh Hindu Temple in Flushing, New York City. From top left: mini idli (steamed lentil cakes) in sambar soup, world's smallest dosa, cilantro chutney, curried lentil and veggies, vada (fried lentil donut), orange semolina dessert, and more sambar and coconut chutney. All for $6!

idiappam (South Indian rice noodles)

Idiappam: rice noodles fried with mustard seeds, curry leaves, nuts, and other spices, with coconut tomato sauce on the side. From the canteen of the Ganesh Hindu Temple in Flushing, New York City.

korean buffet feast

A cheap buffet platter from Woorjiip, in New York. Clockwise from top left: vegetable rice, glass noodles, vegetable and kim chi pancakes, inari sushi, fried nori roll, bok choy, shitakes, tofu, chili somen noodles.

fava (yellow split peas)

Fava: Greek yellow split peas, with lemon, onion, olive oil, and parsley, from a cafe in San Torini.

Potato Leek Kugel

From Vegan with a Vengance!

Scallion Pancake

Homemade! And it's not that hard!

Greek baked eggplant & green beans

Eggplant, green beans, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and olive oil = perfection. From a cafe in Olympia, Greece.

Gemista (stuffed tomatoes)

Gemista - baked tomatoes stuffed with rice and herbs, plus roasted potatoes and a healthy portion of olive oil. From a cafe in Olympia, Greece.

mercimek corbasi (turkish lentil soup)

Mercimek Çorbası, the ubiquitous turkish red lentil soup, silky smooth and perfect for bread-dipping. From a soup shop in Kuşadası.

marinara & friarielli pizzas

Marinara pizza and friarielli pizza (with broccoli rabe grown on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Vesuvius), from Pizzeria Castel Nuovo in Naples, birthplace of pizza. Both absolutely amazing... dough crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, with a sauce so perfect you don't want toppings.

seared tofu with yuca cake & strawberry

Seared marinated tofu with braised kale, sauteed fresh strawberries, crimini mushrooms and a crispy yucca cake in a strawberry vinaigrette, from A Bistro in Brooklyn.